It hardly seems possible. My baby boy is a whole hand.
He woke up to sprinkle donuts for breakfast and was so excited to bring treats to school – fruit kabobs! When he got home he found balloons and presents waiting. Once Alex got home from work, we had his favorite dinner – he requested spaghetti – and had cake. He requested a cactus cake and when I picked it up from the store that day I was a little disappointed at the green globs but Owen thought it was the greatest thing ever. I love his heart. ❤
Poor Della missed her nap that day and fell apart at the dinner table so we had to put her to bed early. Greta was already in bed too so it was just Owen, Alex and I. We enjoyed getting that one on one time with our sweet boy, something that doesn’t happen very often anymore. Della tried to make an appearance while he was opening his presents but mostly just laid on the floor and slept. Here’s a video I made from his fun day turning 5 years old!
Dear sweet Owen,
I wish I could take your unconditional love and box it up. The way you love, the way you care for others, I want to sear it into my memory. Your innocence, your perfect self, before the world gets in the way. This unconditional love is something I never knew existed, not truly, until I met you.
Being my first child, I have made (and will make) so many mistakes with you. The first few months especially were such a flail. I kept you up too late, put you to bed too early, spent hours bouncing you on an exercise ball. I held you for your naps for most of your first year because you wouldn’t let me put you down to sleep during the day. As a “seasoned” mother of three, looking back on those silly decisions I made makes me laugh. But what I will never forget is the way you looked at me – I had lots of opportunity to stare at you because it was only you and me back then. And I notice the love for me in your eyes still to this day.
On your birthday, I want to tell you how blessed I am to have you. You are sincerely the sweetest, most caring, loving, empathetic person. For being so young, you are so in tune with your and other people’s emotions. Every day you do kind things to help your friends, you dad and I and your sisters.
Back when the school year was just starting, your teacher pulled me aside and told me how you helped a classmate who was having anxiety attacks at school. She would only let her parents leave her at school if she saw you in the playroom at drop off. This young girl looks different from you, her skin and hair is not like yours, and you never once told me about her. It was nothing out of the ordinary for you to include her, it’s just something you do. Owen, that makes my heart swell to know that you see people for who they truly are and not the way they look. Please always stay that way. The world needs more people like you.
Let me tell you a little more about you, at this moment in your life:
- Your favorite color is red. Your real favorite color is pink but someone told you once that boys can’t like pink. You like pink anyway and I adore you for that.
- Your favorite food is spaghetti. Chips and salsa are a close second. And you still love your gimbap.
- You LOVE music and dancing.
- You are really into pretend play and I love seeing your imagination go.
- Puzzles intimidate you at first, but you get them every single time. You are so smart. You can do anything.
- You find so much joy in the simplest of things.
- You failed your first go at swim lessons. You had zero interest in participating. It’s okay that you were scared. No pressure. I’m so proud of you for trying and we’ll give it another go next summer. Just know I’m forever on your side.
- You are the most sensitive person I’ve ever met. A sad song will make you cry. I’m a crier too and for better or worse, I’d like to think your sensitivity comes from me.
- You love to help me. Whether it’s getting diapers for Greta, helping make dinner, or cleaning the house – I can count on you to always lend a hand. “What would I do without you, Owen?” “You’d do nothing!”
- Physical touch is your love language. A hug from me will fix all your troubles, for now anyway.
Owen, you are the most beautiful gift from God. Every day it becomes more clear to me, the miracle that brought you to us. You challenge me. I worry and pray for God’s protection over you. I pray that I’m the best mom to you I can possibly be and that God will help us through trying times together. It can be very stressful as a parent, and hard to give ultimate control to God. I love that you are getting to know Jesus at such a young age, always keep that relationship with Him because He can guide your life. I pray that you always know how loved you are. My love for you courses through my veins, it knows no end. Thank you for being everything I’ve ever dreamed about and everything I never knew I needed.
Forever yours,
mama
Carol Hathaway says
Beautiful